First of all:
We are leaving the topic again!
Wearing helmets in open water diving, if I remember correctly.
Sidemount and DIR are closely related in many aspects.
This thread is about using the helmet for something different than protection primarily.
That also translates to the use in a cave.
I would certainly use the helmet and helmet lights differently now than I would have had I only been introduced to the helmet after cave training for the purpose of restriction diving.
I would certainly feel hampered using lines and markers with a hand mounted primary again.
Accepting damage to those caves, even superficial damage, is unacceptable and so diving is nearly competely forbidden to anyone but 'explorers'.
Even if it is not practical, in training you should be taught optimal behavior and not hit your head hard because you use the right technique, not technology.
Perhaps in countries where there are more caves or different caves.
Restriction training (if not avoided completely) is done in selected places in neighboring countries or at simulation locations in cavern areas, selected for safety and for being hard to damage or that have been damaged a lot by divers already.
Explains a lot though
Regarding open water diving I actually see more real use for a helmet, wreck diving in particular.
Stone can be hard and sharp, but does not compare to rusted jagged metal edges or, as the most extreme case, glas.
You meet few of those objects in natural caves, mines and wrecks contain a lot more dangerous edges.
Some of those objects will cut through any thickness of neoprene without you feeling resistance or pain before hitting bone.
A hard plastic shell might actually be more useful around deteriorating man made objects than around rock.
We are leaving the topic again!
Wearing helmets in open water diving, if I remember correctly.
About the same as cavediving has.What does DIR have to do with sidemount?
I do not agree at all.Nothing.
Sidemount and DIR are closely related in many aspects.
The explanation "because: DIR" is enough to some.You mentioned DIR earlier in the thread and I already answered that.
As the helmet is mostly a light mounting system, I do not see the logic there. You also need lights backmount and cannot connect those to the valves.You don't need a helmet in backmount because usually, assuming horizontal trim, the tanks or manifold and valves hit the ceiliing first, not the head.
This thread is about using the helmet for something different than protection primarily.
That also translates to the use in a cave.
I would certainly use the helmet and helmet lights differently now than I would have had I only been introduced to the helmet after cave training for the purpose of restriction diving.
I would certainly feel hampered using lines and markers with a hand mounted primary again.
Probably the reason why training is absolutely forbidden in all local natural caves.As to not making contact with the cave in training sure, that's what you try to avoid doing.
Accepting damage to those caves, even superficial damage, is unacceptable and so diving is nearly competely forbidden to anyone but 'explorers'.
I know, but in my opinion protecting your head with a helmet amounts to 'cheating' and agree with the mentioned instructor in that.But when you can't see at all and need to exit in touch contact or search for the line, the risk of hitting something is very real.
Even if it is not practical, in training you should be taught optimal behavior and not hit your head hard because you use the right technique, not technology.
As far as I know only a minority of the local instructors train students in 'real' restrictions, never in cavern or intro, rarely even in fullcave training.And when you can't see in a vertical or diagonal passage or in restrictions, chances of hitting something are high.
Perhaps in countries where there are more caves or different caves.
Restriction training (if not avoided completely) is done in selected places in neighboring countries or at simulation locations in cavern areas, selected for safety and for being hard to damage or that have been damaged a lot by divers already.
Yes and training should include not going fast enough to knock you out, shouldn't it?Keep in mind that you only have two hands and need to stay in touch contact with your buddy or hold on to the reg hose if you are the OOA recipient plus you need to hold on to the line and use one hand to feel the cave and protect your head.
I do not think that's mandatory.And of course you need to do that while moving at a moderate speed.
In my trainingI hit my head and tanks more than once.
Explains a lot though
As I said, more than most helmets.As to the hood, I said 5mm+ which means anything better or equal 5mm will offer some protection.
Regarding open water diving I actually see more real use for a helmet, wreck diving in particular.
Stone can be hard and sharp, but does not compare to rusted jagged metal edges or, as the most extreme case, glas.
You meet few of those objects in natural caves, mines and wrecks contain a lot more dangerous edges.
Some of those objects will cut through any thickness of neoprene without you feeling resistance or pain before hitting bone.
A hard plastic shell might actually be more useful around deteriorating man made objects than around rock.